Mask-wearing is set to increase again in Macclesfield, following intervention from our borough council.

Cheshire East Council has written to parents and carers of children at schools and colleges across the borough explaining the temporary measures that are being introduced where Covid rates are high.

Measures such as the wearing of face masks in communal areas, reduced mixing in assemblies as well as additional testing facilities will be applied on a school-by-school basis depending on infection rates.

We've submitted a Freedom of Information requests to a selection of Macclesfield schools for the latest cases, but as these take 20 working days, we have compiled the latest data for kids and adults as a whole to compare to the councils latest measures.

The latest cases, which are for last week dating up to October 10, suggest there are at least 32 cases in Central Macclesfield.

Gawsworth & Macclesfield Forest has 45 cases. Macclesfield Upton Priory & Greenside has the most in our area with 54 cases, while Macclesfield South & Lyme Green has the least with 19.

All of these figures are higher than they were at the start of term, and even with October half-term in consideration, a mask mandate has returned for our borough's schools, which includes Macclesfield.

The letter sent to parents and guardians explains that the number of positive cases of school-aged children across the borough continues to increase.

It then states that the enhanced temporary measures will be introduced with immediate effect.

The council's education and public health teams and schools have worked closely together to continue to keep children safe and avoid the need to send any full classes or year groups home, with a clear ambition to minimise the continued disruption to children's education.

The letter sets out that where one person in a household tests positive, children and young people from that household, who attends school or college should limit their social contacts, arrange for a PCR test, and should not attend school or college for a minimum of five days.

What some in Macclesfield may not know is that if a the test result is positive the person should self-isolate by law, despite all other coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns ending.

Additional school measures across our area will also include:

· Face masks in communal areas and classrooms depending on the number of cases; and

· Reduced mixing in assembles and other indoor activities across classes/year groups.

Matt Tyrer, director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: "The vaccination programme for young people aged 12-15 has now started."

You can book a vaccine against the virus here.

Dr. Tyrer added: "Successful implementation of the vaccination of young people in this age group this will be a key factor in reducing positive cases and transmission. We would encourage parents and carers to consider providing consent for their children."

While cases are not the highest in Macc, a borough wide view has been taken to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed this winter.

Congleton, Sandbach and Alsager currently have the most cases in our borough. The first of which, is closest to Macclesfield.

Jacky Forster, director of education at Cheshire East Council, said: "We will continue to monitor the case numbers in schools and other education settings and will step down these temporary measures as soon as infection rates start to reduce.

"We want to emphasise our commitment to minimising disruption in schools and these measures are being introduced, so we can ensure the safety of children and staff, maximise attendance, reduce transmission and ensure schools remain open."

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